Leading German tour operators – from companies like Dirks Reisen, BBV Touristik and Tour mit Schanz – visited Sligo last week. Their action-packed visit was organised by Tourism Ireland in Frankfurt, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland.

The tour operators were here to experience at first-hand the superb holiday product on offer in this part of Ireland. On their arrival in Sligo, they boarded the Wild Rose Waterbus for a tour of Lough Gill. They visited Tobernalt Holy Well at Carraroe and Temple House near Ballymote. They also enjoyed a falconry display at the Eagles Flying Centre, Ballymote.

Barbara Wood, Tourism Ireland Germany, said: “We were delighted to bring these influential tour operators to Sligo. We know that the island of Ireland holds strong appeal for Germans, ranking at number five on their ‘wish-list’ of places to visit in 2011. Fact-finding visits like this are extremely important as they help the tour operators to know exactly what we have to offer potential holidaymakers in Germany; the aim is that when they return home they are familiar with Sligo, and the wonderful tourism product on offer here, and are better equipped to advise their clients on future travel plans and holiday bookings.”

Germany is the world's largest outbound tourism market and is the third most important market for visitors to the island of Ireland. It is the focus of a major promotional drive by Tourism Ireland this year, which includes a €2.5 million TV campaign, seen by in excess of 25 million potential German holidaymakers this spring, as well as a €1 million radio and online advertising drive.

Photo: Regina Muschketat (left) is pictured showing a kestrel to the visiting German tour operators and Ulli Rohrbacher, Tourism Ireland Germany (second from right) at ‘Eagles Flying’, the Irish Raptor Research Centre, near Ballymote.Photo: James Connolly / PicSell8